Ellis is a name of Welsh origin that means "beneficent" or "kindly". It is derived from the Welsh word "eluis", which means "kindness" or "goodness". The name Ellis has been used in Wales for centuries and was often given to children born into families with strong community ties. In some cases, it may have been used as a short form of the Welsh name Elisedd, which is derived from the same root word.
The name Ellis has also been popular among English speakers in other parts of the world. It gained popularity in England during the Victorian era and was often given to boys born into middle-class families. Today, Ellis is still used as a boy's name in many English-speaking countries, although it can also be given to girls.
Some notable people named Ellis include:
* Ellis Island, the famous immigration processing center located in New York Harbor.
* Ellis Wainwright, an American actor known for his roles in films such as "The Notebook" and "Law Abiding Citizen".
* Ellis Parker Butler, an American humorist and short story writer who was active during the early 20th century.
Overall, Ellis is a strong and distinctive name with a meaningful origin. It has been used by people from various backgrounds and has gained popularity over time due to its positive connotations and unique sound.
The statistics provided show a significant increase in the number of births with the name Ellis over time, from just 58 births in 1880 to a peak of 1228 births in 2023. The number of births remained relatively stable and low until around 1907, with fewer than 150 births per year. However, between 1907 and 1914, there was a dramatic increase, with over 600 births recorded in 1912 alone. This trend continued through the early 20th century, with significant peaks occurring around World War II (1939-1945) and again starting from the late 1990s onwards.
The total number of births registered as Ellis over the period spanning 1880 to 2023 is 47,731. This indicates that the name Ellis has become increasingly popular and common in recent decades, with a considerable increase in usage since around the year 2000.